Wound Management System

Abstract

The invention includes a wound dressing having a plurality of layers, at least one conduit system, and means for assisting in the healing process. Exemplary means for assisting in the healing process includes a light source that in at least one embodiment provides ultraviolet light and a vibrational energy source such as a transducer. In at least one exemplary embodiment the wound dressing includes measurement means for measuring temperature or pH, and in at least one further exemplary embodiment providing signals to a controller for adjusting the measured parameter in the wound dressing and/or wound site.

1 . A wound management system comprising: 
 a dressing having 
 a first layer,  
 a second layer abutting said first layer, and  
 a third layer abutting said second layer,  
   an irrigation system in communication with said second layer, and    means for treatment in communication with at least one of said second layer and said irrigation system.    
   
   
       2 . The wound management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment means includes 
 a vibrational energy source,    a conduit system filled with material capable of transferring vibrational waves from the vibrational energy source into at least one of said first layer and said second layer.    
   
   
       3 . The wound management system according to  claim 2 , wherein the treatment means further includes 
 a light source,    a light distribution system having a plurality of optical fibers embedded in at least one of said irrigation system and said conduit system.    
   
   
       4 . The wound management system according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a thermistor in said dressing, and    a controller in communication with said thermistor.    
   
   
       5 . The wound management system according to  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a heater in communication with said irrigation system and said controller, and    a cooler in communication with said irrigation system and said controller.    
   
   
       6 . The wound management system according to  claim 4 , further comprising a pH electrode system in communication with said controller, said pH electrode system including a plurality of pH electrodes in said dressing.  
   
   
       7 . The wound management system according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 an acidic fluid source in communication with said irrigation system and said controller, and    a base fluid source in communication with said irrigation system and said controller.    
   
   
       8 . The wound management system according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment means further includes 
 a light source,    a light distribution system having a plurality of optical fibers embedded in said irrigation system.    
   
   
       9 . The wound management system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a thermistor in said dressing, and    a controller in communication with said thermistor.    
   
   
       10 . The wound management system according to  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a heater in communication with said irrigation system and said controller, and    a cooler in communication with said irrigation system and said controller.    
   
   
       11 . The wound management system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a controller, and    a pH electrode system in communication with said controller, said pH electrode system including a plurality of pH electrodes in said dressing.    
   
   
       12 . The wound management system according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 an acidic fluid source in communication with said irrigation system and said controller, and    a base fluid source in communication with said irrigation system and said controller.    
   
   
       13 . A wound management system comprising: 
 a dressing having 
 a first layer,  
 a second layer abutting said first layer, and  
 a third layer abutting said second layer,  
   an irrigation system in communication with said second layer,    a light distribution system in communication with said dressing, said light distribution system including a light source providing light having a wavelength between 3 nm and 380 nm, and    a vibrational energy source in communication with said dressing.    
   
   
       14 . The wound dressing system according to  claim 13 , wherein said light distribution system includes a plurality of optical fibers at least partially embedded in said irrigation system.  
   
   
       15 . The wound management system according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a thermistor in said dressing, and    a controller in communication with said thermistor.    
   
   
       16 . The wound management system according to  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 a heater in communication with said irrigation system and said controller, and    a cooler in communication with said irrigation system and said controller.    
   
   
       17 . The wound management system according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a controller,    a pH electrode system in communication with said controller, said pH electrode system including a plurality of pH electrodes in said dressing,    an acidic fluid source in communication with said irrigation system and said controller, and    a base fluid source in communication with said irrigation system and said controller.    
   
   
       18 . The wound management system according to  claim 13 , wherein said vibrational energy source includes a transducer located within said dressing.  
   
   
       19 . A wound management system comprising: 
 treating means for treating the wound,    wound covering means for covering the wound site,    seepage preventing means for preventing seepage from the wound site to the surrounding environment,    feedback means for providing feedback based on conditions within said wound covering means,    wetness maintaining means for maintaining wetness within said wound covering means, and    moisture supplying means for providing moisture to said wetness maintaining means.    
   
   
       20 . The wound management system according to  claim 19 , wherein said treating means includes at least one of 
 a light distribution system having means for providing light having a wavelength of 3 nm to 380 nm into said wound covering means, and    a vibrational energy source in communication with said wound covering means.